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Sources to Consult:
Time Lines of Ancient History by Lorin L. Cranford
(A chronological listing of life spans of key individuals, of key events etc. of the first Christian century)

THE LIFE OF CHRIST: A Summary by Lorin L. Cranford
(A chronological summary of the life and ministry of Christ with hyperlinks to each of the four gospels and their witness to Christ.)

Chronology of Paul's Life and Ministry by Lorin L. Cranford
(A chronological summary of Paul's life, ministry, and writings)

List of Epistolary Divisions in Paul's Letters by Lorin L. Cranford
(A summary listing of the literary structure of each of the traditional Pauline letters with hyperlinks to scripture texts listings, divided into the four periods of Paul's writing ministry)

Paul's Relation to the Corinthian Believers: A Reconstruction by Lorin L. Cranford
(a chronological reconstruction of Paul's relationship with the church at Corinth)

Relationships among the Prison Letters by Lorin L. Cranford
(a summary of the literary and chronological relationships of Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon, under the traditional assumption of Pauline authorship)

List of Epistolary Divisions in the Catholic Letters by Lorin L. Cranford
(A summary listing of the literary structure of each of the general letters with hyperlinks to scripture texts listings)

Interpreting the New Testament Documents by Lorin L. Cranford
(a discussion of interpretative strategies emphasizing consideration of both the historical and literary aspects of a scripture texts)

Outline of Acts by Lorin L. Cranford
(a sketching out of the contents of Acts based on an expanding witness presupposition in Acts 1:8-9)

2.3.1 Formulating a Biblical History
        One of the initial aspects in this task is coming to grips with the reality that modern and ancient definitions of history are profoundly different from one another. The historical perspective assumed in this task is basically the modern understanding of history, rather than the ancient one. At once the task of formulating a biblical history is much more complicated and will have at points substantial theoretical aspects to it with minimum evidential support. This is mostly due to the severe limitations of the available sources with modern scientific criteria applied in the analysis of factually based evidence. For some NT theologians this limitation has proven too significant and has resulted in either huge historical skepticism (e.g., the first quest for the historical Jesus) or significant abandonment of historical concerns (e.g., Bultmann's demythologizing program to get at the kerygma). Yet, in spite of the limitations the majority of modern biblical scholarship has maintained the necessity of seeking to reconstruct a biblical history to the greatest extent possible. Given the adopted process of developing a NT theology (see Lecture topic 2.4 for details, especially topic 2.4.5), the NT theologian has no choice but to attempt such a reconstruction.
        Several aspects of historical perspective need to be incorporated into this reconstruction.
        At the heart of it stands the reconstruction of the story of the significant characters whose lives and minstry constitutes the heart of the story. Of course, this begins with the story of Jesus, his birth and death, his ministry, his role in founding the Christian religion. Immediately we are confronted with the various quests for the historical Jesus over the past three hundred years of biblical scholarship (see NT topic 3.2.4 for outline of this issue). The current responders to the Jesus Seminar, including the evangelical Methodist scholar Ben Witherington, provide more balanced assessments of the issue. For a helpful summary see the web page The Many Quests for the Historical Jesus by Donald Wells at  http://www.mind.net/rvuuf/pages/quests.htm.
        Out of such analysis comes my personal perspective on the historical Jesus, which is set forth in summary fashion through a chronological framework in THE LIFE OF CHRIST: A Summary. To be certain, aspects of this represent hypothetical reconstructions, but with sufficient evidence to suggest them as the best possible scenario.  The core elements are sketched out below in topic 2.3.2. These contain hyperlinks to more detailed presentations of scripture text materials. To be sure, the chronological framework provides merely the historical skeleton upon which to tell the story of Jesus historically. The fleshing out of this framework constitutes the real historical story. The variety of efforts at this can be seen in the many histories of Jesus produced over the past decades. Two of the recent better attempts from a conservative perspective are those by Ben Witherington, III (The Jesus Quest: The Third Search for the Jew of Nazareth, Downers Grove, Il: InterVarsity Press, 1995) and N. T. Wright (The Original Jesus, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1996).
        Of major significance also is the life and ministry of the apostle Paul. Again the development of a chronological framework becomes foundational to the writing of a history of the apostle. One that I developed over twenty years ago is provided below in topic 2.3.4. Once this framework is developed satisfactorily, then it needs fleshing out with the history of the apostle. Also included below in the right column is a charting out of the writing ministry of the apostle. These two chronological frameworks then provide the historical skeleton on which to write the history of Paul. They also provide the historical backdrop to the interpretation of his letters.
        In addition to the ministry of Paul, the other apostles play an important role in the history of Christianity at its beginning (sometimes labeled at Primitive Christianity or Urchristentum in the German). The pivotal biblical source for this is the book of Acts. Subsequent interpretations of Acts are found in the Church Fathers, especially the Ecclesiastical History of Eusebius in the fourth century AD.  Especially significant here is his interpretation of the apostolic era in Books I, II, and III.

        Yet our task of laying a foundation for a biblical history is not complete when we have just sketched out a chronological framework for Jesus and the apostles during the apostolic era. Before we can comprehend the significance of these individuals we must plug them into the larger world of their time. This is where an exploration of ancient history, especially of the centuries leading up to and including the beginning of the Christian era, becomes essential. As was true with the exploration of the leading characters of Primitive Christianity, the development of a chronological framework is the initial task that must be completed before a history can be written. One effort at this that I begun some time ago is found in the hyperlink Time Lines of Ancient History. Although not yet complete -- the major missing element is the charting out of the high priests in the temple at Jerusalem -- the study does provide a helpful starting point.

        The final phase of our historical challenge is the most difficult -- the charting out of the story of the development of religious thought during the apostolic era. In other words, the above segments of history are foundational to our primary objective in theological studies: How did the set or sets of religious beliefs that are foundational to a New Testament theology come together during the apostolic era? Beyond this comes the question that moves us from biblical theology into historical theology: How did these sets of beliefs developed in the apostolic era come to be extended, modified, or rejected in the subsequent centuries of theological thinking among the various Christian communities?

2.3.2 The Life and Ministry of Jesus
This material is taken from  THE LIFE OF CHRIST: A Summary.

II. Beginning of public ministry
 
 

A. The public ministry of John the Baptist

B. The Beginning of Jesus' Public Ministry

III. Galilean ministry
 
 

A. Phase One: From the beginning to the Choosing of the Twelve

B. Phase Two: From the Choosing of the Twelve to the Withdrawals from Galilee

C. Phase Three: From the Withdrawals from Galilee to the Departure to Jerusalem

A. Early Judean Phase

B. Early Perean Phase

C. Later Judean Phase

D. Later Perean Phase

A. Friday, arrival at Bethany

B. Saturday, prophetic anointing

C. Sunday, Messianic Manifestation

D. Monday, Messianic Authority

E. Tuesday, Controversy and Teaching

F. Wednesday, rest (no record)
G. Thursday, farewells

H. Friday, Redemptive Accomplishment

I. Saturday, Guard posted at the Tomb

A. The Empty Tomb

B. The Appearances to His Disciples

1. The Bribing of the soldiers

2. To the Eleven in Galilee

3. To the Two Disciples on the Road to Emmaus

4. To the Disciples in Jerusalem

5. The Ascension of Jesus

6. To Mary Magdalene

7. To the Disciples in Jerusalem

8. To the Disciples with Thomas present

9. To the Seven Disciples at the Sea of Tiberias

2.3.3 The Life and Ministry of the Apostles
 
 

Introduction (1:1-26)

1. Preface (1-5)
2. Final appearance of Christ (6-11)
3. Picture of the church in the period between ascension and Pentecost (12-26)

A. The day of Pentecost (2:1-47)

1. Outpouring of the Spirit (1-13)
2. Preaching of Peter (14-41)
3. Summary of the life of the new converts (42-47)

B. The healing of the lame man (3:1-4:31)

1. The miracle (3:1-10)
2. The message (3:11-26)
3. The arrest (4:1-4)
4. The trial (4:5-22)
5. The sequel (4:23-31)

C. The sin of Ananias and Sapphira (4:32-5:11)

1. The originating circumstances (4:32-37)

a) The general condition of the church (32-35)
b) The generous example of Barnabas (36-37)

2. The sin (5:1-11)

D. The growing power of the apostles (5:12-42)

1. The evidences (12-16)
2. The effect (17-42)

E. The appointment of "The Seven" (6:1-7)

1. Occasion (1-2)
2. Method used (3-5)
3. Qualifications (3)
4. Nature of their work (2-4)
5. Ordination (6)
6. Result (7)

F. The martyrdom of Stephen (6:8-8:3)

1. The arrest (6:8-15)
2. The defense (7:1-53)
3. The death (7:54-8:3)

A. The witness of Philip (8:4-40)

1. Planting the gospel in Samaria (4-25)
2. Explaining the gospel to the Ethiopian (26-39)
3. Preaching the gospel from Azotus to Caesarea (40)

B. The apprehension of Saul of Tarsus (9:1-31)

1. His conversion (1-9)
2. His baptism and commission (10-19a)
3. His first preaching (19b-22)
4. His return to Damascus (23-25)
5. His first visit to Jerusalem (26-30)
6. Effect of his conversion (31)

C. The labors of Peter (9:32-11:18)

1. At Lydda (9:32-35)
2. At Joppa (9:36-10:23a)
3. At Caesarea (10:23b-48)
4. At Jerusalem (11:1-18)

D. The work of Barnabas (11:19-30)

1. The mission to Antioch (19-26)
2. The report to Jerusalem (27-30)

E. The persecutions of Herod (12:1-24)

1. The execution of James (1,2)
2. The attempt on the life of Peter (3-19)
3. The outcome (20-24)

F. Barnabas and Saul return to Antioch (12:25)

A. The call of Paul and Barnabas to Missionary service (13:13)
B. The Missionary Journeys of Paul (13:4-21:16)

1. The first missionary journey (13:4-14:28)

a) The outward trip (13:4-14:20)
b) The return to Antioch (14:21-28)

2. The Jerusalem conference (15:1-35)

a) Occasion of the conference (1-5)
b) Deliberation of the conference (6-21)
c) Decision of the conference (22-29)
d) Report to Antioch (30-35)

3. The second missionary journey (15:36-18:22)

a) The contention between Paul and Barnabas (15:36-40)
b) The work in Syria and Cilicia (15:41)
c) The work at Lystra and Derbe (16:1-5)
d) The work in Phrygia, Galatia, Mysia, and Troas (16:6-10)
e) The work in Philippi (16:11-40)
f) The work in Thessalonica (17:1-9)
g) The work in Beroea (17:10-14)
h) The work in Athens (17:15-34)
i) The work in Corinth (18:1-17)
j) The journey back to Antioch (18:18-22)

4. The third missionary journey (18:23-21:16)

a) The trip through Galatia and Phrygia (18:23)
b) The meeting of Apollos with Aquila and Priscilla (18:24-28)
c) The work in Ephesus (19:1-21:1)
d) The visit to Macedonia (21:1-2a)
e) The trip to Greece (20:2b-3a)
f) The trip to Jerusalem (20:3b-21:16)

C. The captivity of Paul (21:17-28:31)

1. At Jerusalem (21:17-28:35)

a) Paul's meeting with James and the elders of the Jerusalem church (21:17-26)
b) Paul's seizure (21:27-39)
c) Paul's defense (21:40-23:11)

(1) Before the mob (21:40-22:29)
(2) Before the Sanhedrin (22:30-23:11)

d) Paul's removal from Jerusalem (23:12-35)

2. At Caesarea (24:1-26:32)

a) Under custody of Felix (24:1-27)
b) Under custody of Festus (25:1-26:32)

3. On the voyage to Rome (27:1-28:15)

a) To Crete via Myra (27:1-8)
b) From Crete to Malta (27:9-44)
c) At Malta (28:1-10)
d) From Malta to Rome (28:11-15)

4. At Rome (28:16-31)

a) Paul's arrival (28:16)
b) Paul's meeting with the Jewish brethren (28:17-29)
c) Paul's continuing ministry (28:30-31)

---

¹This outline is largely drawn from Dr. Curtis Vaughan's Acts: A Study Guide Commentary.

2.3.4 The Life and Ministry of Paul
        Again, provided below in the first column is a chronological framework of the ministry of the apostle Paul that I developed years ago in another publication.¹
In the right column is the charting out of Paul's writing ministry.

For an updated listing on Pauline letters see Resource Pages for Biblical Studies at http://www.torreys.org/bible/biblia02.html#paul

Pauline Theology from the New Perspective:

 Dunn, James D.G., Jesus, Paul, and the Law: Studies in Mark and Galatians (Westminster/John  Knox Press), 1990, contains essays written throughout the '80s, including his historic 1982 lecture  "The New Perspective on Paul."

 Dunn, James D.G. and Suggate, Alan M., The Justice of God: A Fresh Look at the Old Doctrine of  Justification by Faith (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Pub. Co.), 1993, is a practical little  book exploring social ramifications of the new perspective.

 Sanders, E.P., Paul and Palestinian Judaism: A Comparison of Patterns of Religion (Minneapolis,  MN: Fortress Press), 1977, is the book that really started it all.

 Stendahl, Krister, Paul Among Jews and Gentiles and Other Essays (Philadelphia, PA: Fortress  Press), 1976, contains the single most important essay anticipating the new perspective.

 Wright, N.T., What St. Paul Really Said: Was Paul of Tarsus the Real Founder of Christianity? (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Pub. Co.), 1997, is an excellent summary of the new  perspective.
 

Studies of Paul web sites:

General Listing of Gateways
     at Biblical Studies Resource Pages at http://www.torreys.org/bible/biblia02.html#paul

As Paul Tells It
     at http://www.paulonpaul.org/

Footsteps of Paul
     at http://www.abrock.com/Greece-Turkey/FootstepsIntro.html

Journeys of Paul
     at http://www.luthersem.edu/ckoester/paul/main.htm

The Paul Page
     at http://www.angelfire.com/mi2/paulpage/

Saint Paul the Apostle
     at http://www.thirdmill.org/paul_frameset.asp

    Included are
           The Theology of Paul
           at http://www.thirdmill.org/Paul2/ptheology.asp

           Bibliographies and Recommended Commentaries
            at http://www.thirdmill.org/Paul2/pbibliography.asp
 
 

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